I recently wrote about Procrastination and the positive impact it can have, if we let it (read it here).
I would like to amend my previous commentary, and will do so now.
Procrastination may want to be your friend, but it is, in fact, your frienemy.
I’m going to go back to my personal example where I had massive cleaning to do and managed to do pretty much every other distasteful chore in order to not do the cleaning. When crunch time came, I didn’t have other things looming over me or trying to get my attention. However, there was one little thing I had failed to account for – the unexpected setback.
This sort of setback is unanticipated, and non-negotiable. Perhaps it’s the flu. Maybe your sister shows up on your doorstep with a suitcase. The Mississippi River floods and you have to evacuate. You get summoned to jury duty. Your mother-in-law calls to say she wants to come visit and will be there in three hours. You get the idea.
If you make the mistake, as I did, of forgetting that life likes to throw wild cards at you, then you will be up the proverbial creek. That is where procrastination’s bad reputation comes from.
So, just remember, when you are busy not doing something, to leave some extra time for the aliens to abduct you or whatever. Sure, if you do this, they’ll skip Earth altogether, but if you don’t allow a bit of extra time, they’ll keep you for the extra-long probe session (or your mother-in-law will move in with you, whichever).
(Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I’m done with the cleaning. Now I can’t find anything.)
But but you can’t go back! I was so happy thinking I could procrastinate without fear!
You can, as long as you allow some extra fudge time for life’s unexpected things.
Deep breath. It will be okay!